"We're a part of everything as everything is a part of us" is the cryptic response issued by Vorph, Samael's guitarist and vocalist, when questioned about whether or not he associates Samael with the notorious trappings of black metal. Samael's latest album, The Passage, shows the band soaring past its previous accomplishments, captivating the ear with vicious bouts of powerful metal that crafts awe-inspiring choruses and imposing bouts of heaviness on songs such as the malicious opener, "Rain", only to illuminate discordant passages of saturated darkness and alienated melodies on "Angel's Decay". The interviewee, Vorph, proves to be a little less than chatty, but the potent musical movements truly speak for themselves. The Passage "was the result of things we've been through since we started," commented Vorph, "we haven't write [sic] any new material since the recording session of Passage." Vorph elaborates upon the band's decision to take a songwriting break: "It took us two years to make this album, and it will take as much time to be absorbed by our minds". Rounded out by Xy on keyboards and drum programming, Masmiseim on bass, and Kaos on guitar, this powerful quartet crushes with a fluent and diverse songwriting technique that proudly thrusts Samael's appreciation for diversity into the forefront. Samael's forceful lyrical escapades have shifted to a focus upon paganism and astrology, with songs such as "Jupiterian Vibe" and "Born Under Saturn" conveying Samael's interest in the occult. When asked whether the bandmembers all hold similar views in regards to the lyrics, Vorph responds that "they knows [sic] how to interpret it their own way". Perhaps Vorph best summarizes the belligerent power, penetrating songwriting, and paganic mystery that is The Passage when he says, "the way is a sphere, and when it's full, it goes on and on..."

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